Multiple Choice
When dissolving, do polar solutes generally prefer to interact with polar solvents or nonpolar solvents?
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13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Intermolecular Forces and Physical Properties
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Which of the following compounds has the lowest vapor pressure at room temperature?
A
CH_3CH_2OH
B
C_6H_6
C
H_2O
D
CH_3OCH_3
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the compounds given: ethanol (CH\_3CH\_2OH), benzene (C\_6H\_6), water (H\_2O), and dimethyl ether (CH\_3OCH\_3).
Recall that vapor pressure is influenced by the strength of intermolecular forces: stronger intermolecular forces result in lower vapor pressure because molecules are held more tightly in the liquid phase.
Analyze the types of intermolecular forces present in each compound: water and ethanol have hydrogen bonding, benzene has London dispersion forces, and dimethyl ether has dipole-dipole interactions but weaker hydrogen bonding than water or ethanol.
Compare the strength of hydrogen bonding: water has the strongest hydrogen bonding due to its small size and two hydrogen atoms bonded to oxygen, leading to a highly interconnected hydrogen bond network.
Conclude that the compound with the strongest intermolecular forces (water) will have the lowest vapor pressure at room temperature.
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